Humans are social creatures that band together. Those with similar traits often cluster together, cooperate, and strive for the greatest common benefit. This has been the case since ancient times. Thus, the ancient social form of the family was born. And some powerful, enduring families are known as noble clans. These so-called noble clans, passed down through generations without end, wield immense power and influence, making them unattainable for countless people. Now, such an opportunity lay before Feng Lin. An ordinary person would have been overjoyed, eager to join immediately, but Feng Lin didn't hesitate for a moment, flatly refusing without leaving any room for negotiation. Because he had enough confidence—he himself was a noble clan! If he continued to grow, who was to say he couldn't establish a new noble clan through his own efforts? The starry expanse was vast, the future limitless, and anything was possible.
"Yourself a noble clan?" Feng Shaoyou, upon hearing Feng Lin's response, was utterly stunned. It took him a long while to react before he sneered coldly. "It seems you've really been stuck in the Solar System too long—ignorance breeds fearlessness! Do you know how vast the starry expanse is? It's practically boundless. And how many noble clans are there? Barely a handful! These so-called noble clans are built up over countless generations, standing as supremely honored entities among the interstellar nations. The Solar System, this backwater, thinks that an elite cultivator is the peak of cultivation—how laughable! You should know that in the true interstellar cultivation world, an elite cultivator is merely the entry level, just the beginning of transcending the mundane. Beyond elite cultivators, there are great cultivators, masters, grandmasters, supreme grandmasters... kings... and many other profound realms beyond your imagination. Each step is a new heaven, and every major leap in rank for interstellar cultivators is beyond comprehension. Noble clans have astonishing foundations, but because they attract attention, they face countless threats and must have legendary demigod-like supreme beings to guard them. You're just an interstellar cultivator now, not even an elite cultivator, yet you dare boast so arrogantly!..." His words struck like swords, dripping with sarcasm.
Feng Lin, however, was unfazed, his mind as calm as a still lake, unmoved by praise or criticism. On the contrary, from the other's words, he gleaned a wealth of precious cultivation knowledge he couldn't normally obtain, broadening his horizons. So there were that many realms beyond elite cultivators. Truly, the path of cultivation was profound and boundless, with no end in sight. What would a demigod-like supreme being be like? Though he knew every myth was a path to godhood, this was the first time Feng Lin had heard of such formidable figures so close to the essence of gods and demons. Indeed, the starry expanse was the true stage for cultivation, full of infinite possibilities. Feng Lin became even more certain of his future path. Vast as the starry expanse was, he felt no confusion. With the mythological knowledge and gene formulas of ancient Earth, Feng Lin didn't need to rely on anyone; he would surely grow strong in time. In terms of foundation and potential alone, he already far surpassed his peers. If he couldn't rise, who could? He could become a noble clan on his own! This was no delusion.
Where there are people, there is conflict. The interstellar main branch of such a grand noble clan must have intricate internal relationships, with no shortage of palace intrigues and petty schemes. What benefit would there be for him, an outsider, to join? He'd only end up as someone's appendage, possibly targeted at every turn, wasting precious time. So Feng Lin's mind was clear: what he needed most now was to take steady, solid steps forward, buying himself time to seize opportunities for growth. Not to covet the title of a noble clan and recklessly dive in, only to be constrained everywhere, squandering the golden age of his rapid cultivation rise. He understood all mythological paths; as long as his genetic potential was sufficient, he could deduce any path from the gene formulas. Though the Feng clan's Fuxi mythological path was extraordinary, Feng Lin, if he grew strong enough, could deduce it through his own efforts. So why would he need to go to that interstellar main branch? Having just broken free from family constraints, why would he willingly enter another cage?
Seeing that the man was still going on and on, Feng Lin initially planned to leave, but then paused, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Since Feng Shaoyou was so eager to talk, he might glean more truths about interstellar cultivation from him. "If the main branch is as formidable as you claim, why aren't you there? Why come to our Solar System branch of the Feng family!" Feng Lin feigned anger, as if enraged by Feng Shaoyou's constant belittling of his own family. Feng Shaoyou, unsuspecting, sneered, "The Feng main branch must grow by keeping fresh, active blood. The main branch separated you into branch families to let you grow in different environments, compete, and select true geniuses to recall to the main branch, strengthening the clan's power. If not for the family's orders, do you think I'd willingly come to this backwater Solar System!"
Hearing the main branch's methods, Feng Lin's eyes narrowed. "So the branch family's practice of ranking members and exploiting lower-ranked clansmen was also instigated by you!" "Of course! The dark forest law of the universe is brutally harsh; even humanity isn't absolutely safe, facing danger of extinction at any moment. There are countless powerful races in the cosmos; numbers mean nothing. Only those awe-inspiring strong enough to suppress the stars can protect humanity. So humanity must have internal competition—fierce competition. Only those who fight their way to the top are true geniuses. It's like raising gu—devouring each other, the stronger you are, the more resources you get. The strong grow stronger, the weak weaker. And Feng Lin, you are now the gu king in this gu pot of the Solar System! Going to the main branch is your ultimate destiny!" Feng Shaoyou declared, with an air of superiority, as if pronouncing Feng Lin's future fate.
"Gu king!" Feng Lin's eyes flashed with anger—he was being called a mere insect. The rules of this interstellar family were indeed brutally stark. Every branch family was a gu pot for the main branch, constantly drained, with geniuses flowing endlessly into it. Yet each branch family flocked to it eagerly. "Doesn't the main branch fear rebellion?" Feng Lin's voice was heavy. "Rebellion?" Feng Shaoyou laughed coldly. "How would you rebel?" "Leaving human civilization? The cosmic law is merciless—survival of the fittest. Losers in family competition at least get food and clothing; winners have a bright future. This is the common practice of all interstellar human families! And the complete Fuxi mythological path is divided into two branches: the Suiren gene and the Bagua gene. Your branch only inherited the Bagua gene up to the elite cultivator level and the lowest version of the Suiren gene—how could you possibly rebel against the main branch! Only by walking the Fuxi mythological path can one be a true descendant of the Three Sovereigns. Feng Lin, if you want to return to the main branch, your only choice is to become my protector. Without a recommendation from a direct line of the main branch, you can never return!" Feng Shaoyou's words were chilling, revealing a brutal truth.
Feng Lin wasn't bothered, instead pondering inwardly. So the Feng family indeed inherited the Fuxi mythological path. It turned out the Fuxi gene was a combination of the Suiren gene and the Bagua gene. This was a huge gain! Knowing this, Feng Lin could save a massive amount of genetic potential in deducing the complete Fuxi mythological path, without needing to beg others and be constrained. Return to the main branch? Sorry, he'd never had that intention. Having gained so much valuable knowledge, Feng Lin was satisfied and didn't want to tangle with Feng Shaoyou any longer. "No need! If I want something, I'll fight for it myself, not beg anyone!" Feng Lin coldly tossed out the words, turned, and walked away.
"Where do you think you're going?" Feng Shaoyou was furious. If he couldn't even control a branch family member after all his talk, how could he compete with his rivals in the main branch? He'd surely be ridiculed. A gust of bloody wind rose. Feng Lin instinctively dodged swiftly, seeing a massive serpent's tail slam into the spot where he'd just stood. A half-human, half-serpent mythological creature appeared before him.